Optical connector with protecting mechanism to prevent damage to fiber optic lens

Abstract

An optical connector ( 100 ) defining a receiving space ( 101 ) includes an insulative housing ( 1 ), a plurality of contacts ( 2 ) and an optical fiber module ( 3 ) retained in the insulative housing ( 1 ). The insulative housing ( 1 ) has a base ( 12 ) and a tongue ( 13 ) extending forwardly from the base ( 12 ). The base ( 12 ) has a front wall ( 121 ) and a cavity ( 125 ) extending therethrough. The optical fiber module ( 3 ) is received in the cavity ( 125 ) and has at least a position post ( 32 ) extending forwardly beyond the front wall ( 121 ). A protecting mechanism ( 126 ) extends into the receiving space ( 101 ). The protecting mechanism ( 126 ) has a front end ( 1260 ) arranged at front of the position post ( 32 ) to make the receiving space ( 101 ) having a first insertion length (X) and a second insertion length (Y). The second insertion length (Y) is larger than the first insertion length (X).

We claim: 
     
       1. An optical receptacle connector of a USB interface configuration, comprising:
 an insulative housing defining a mating plate with thereof a horizontal mating face and a vertical mating face essentially located behind the horizontal mating face; 
 a plurality of conductive contacts activated around the horizontal mating face; 
 a plurality of optical fiber units activated around the vertical mating face; 
 an alignment post extending forward from the vertical mating face for cooperation with the optical fiber units; and 
 a protecting mechanism located in front of the alignment post and on an outer side relative to the alignment post so as to stop further insertion of a USB type card which is only equipped with electrical terminals for mating with the conductive contacts while being equipped without optical items for mating with the optical fiber units for protecting the alignment post from being damaged due to confrontation with said USB type card, while allowing full insertion of a USB type plug which is equipped with both the electrical terminals for mating with the conductive contacts and the optical items for mating with the optical fiber units due to said USB type plug being formed with a first receiving cavity for receiving the alignment post and a second receiving cavity for receiving the protection mechanism without interference during mating between the optical receptacle connector and the USB type plug. 
 
     
     
       2. The optical receptacle connector as claimed in  claim 1 , further includes a metallic shell enclosing the housing wherein said protection mechanism is formed by at least one of said housing and said shell. 
     
     
       3. An optical plug of a USB interface configuration, comprising:
 an insulative housing defining a mating plate with thereof a horizontal mating face and a vertical mating face essentially located in front of the horizontal mating face; 
 a plurality of conductive contacts activated around the horizontal mating face; 
 a plurality of optical fiber units activated around the vertical mating face; and 
 a first receiving cavity and a second receiving cavity formed around the vertical mating face and forwardly communicating with an exterior and for respectively receiving an alignment post and a protection mechanism of an optical receptacle connector; wherein 
 in a transverse direction the optical fiber units are located in an innermost position, the first receiving cavity is located in a middle position and configured to be adapted to receive the corresponding alignment post of the optical receptacle connector and the second receiving cavity is located in an outermost position and configured to be adapted to receive the corresponding protection mechanism of the optical receptacle connector. 
 
     
     
       4. The optical plug as claimed in  claim 3 , further including a metallic shell enclosing said housing, wherein said second receiving cavity is formed on at least a side edge of the housing. 
     
     
       5. The optical plug as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said first receiving cavity is conical.